AVMA supports surgeon general’s call to action on walking

Posted Oct. 14, 2015

​The AVMA is supporting U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and his office in efforts to promote walking and walkable communities as a way to engage more people in the benefits of regular exercise and enhance human health.

 “We couldn’t be happier that Surgeon General Murthy has recognized in this initiative the benefits of pet ownership and how regularly walking the family dog is great for both the pet and the pet owner,” Dr. Joe Kinnarney, AVMA president, said. “By including pets in the Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities, Surgeon General Murthy also recognizes the critical role our nation’s veterinarians play in maintaining both animal and human health. Healthy animals equal healthy people, and we are proud to say that veterinarians contribute enormously to the health and well-being of both.”

The call to action presents goals and strategies to support walking and walkability in the United States, all with the objective of making it easier and safer for people to walk and be physically active in other ways.

 “The AVMA is fully supportive of the surgeon general’s goals, especially those of making walking a national priority and designing communities that make it safe and easy to walk for people of all ages and abilities,” Dr. Kinnarney said. “We need more sidewalks and more walkable destinations for both our people and their pets because when people and pets can enjoy the outdoors and come together socially with other pets and their owners, it’s a better world for all of us.”